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. 2023 Feb 24;41(8):789–806. doi: 10.1007/s11604-023-01400-7

Table 4.

Relationship between serum prolactin levels and causes [68, 69]

Prolactin levels Causes
 < 100 ng/mL • Stalk effect (increased prolactin due to impaired prolactin inhibitory factor delivery by compression to the pituitary stalk): nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma, Rathke’ cleft cyst, craniopharyngioma, germinoma, etc.
• Drugs: Anti-ulcer drug, antiemetic drug, antihypertensive drug, psychotropic drug, oral contraceptives, etc.
• Primary hypothyroidism
• Pregnancy
• Breast sucking stimulation
• Prolactinoma
100–200 ng/mL • Prolactinoma if drug-induced cause is excluded
 > 200 ng/mL • Macro-prolactinoma
 > 1000 ng/mL • Macro-prolactinoma with cavernous sinus invasion
• Giant (> 4 cm) prolactinoma